Hockey’s Future Organization Rankings, Fall 2011 1-10

Strengths: With 23 selections in the last two drafts, ever position in the Panthers organization is loaded with top-end talent and solid depth. Jonathan Huberdeau provides elite offensive talent, Erik Gudbranson has top-pairing potential, and Jacob Markstrom put on a great display of talent in an early season cup of coffee with the Panthers. The system is laden with future NHLers at forward and defense, and boasts multiple skilled and physical players throughout. Weaknesses: With such a deep and well-balanced prospect pool, there are no salient weaknesses to be found. There is no true powerplay quarterback on the backend, though this weakness is mitigated by Keaton Ellerby and Dmitri Kulikov, two young players who already provide that skill at the NHL level. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Jonathan Huberdeau, C, 2. Jacob Markstrom, G, 3. Erik Gudbranson, D, 4. Quinton Howden, LW, 5. Evgeni Dadonov, RWLost to Trade: Marc Cheverie, Mike Duco,

Strengths: Even after the graduation of some of the best forwards in the game, the Islanders have potential stars at the left wing and center position, and good depth at center. Both Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Strome are expected to become goal scoring forwards and should develop into quality NHLers within a year or two. In addition, New York has several high risk, high reward skilled prospects within the organization. Weaknesses: The defensive pool is thin with no top-pairing blue line prospects and generally little depth. Although there is some depth in net, none of the goaltending prospects could be considered elite. Top 5 prospects: 1. Nino Niederreiter, LW, 2. Ryan Strome, C, 3. Calvin de Haan, D, 4. Brock Nelson, C, 5. Matt Donovan, D. Lost to Graduation: Travis Hamonic, D

Strengths: In the midst of a major youth movement at the NHL level, the Oilers are still loaded with above-average prospects. The addition of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins definitely gives this group some more star appeal up front, but there are talented and versatile players at all forward positions. There is also some hope for the beleaguered Oilers blue line, with Jeff Petry close to full-time NHL duty and Oscar Klefbom, David Musil, and Martin Marincin among the numerous talented defensemen on the horizon. Weaknesses: While the team did add a pair of goaltenders to the organization this past summer, there is no true future number one netminder waiting in the wings. There is a slight lack of high-end talent on the wings, but with the team loaded at the NHL level, that is not a major concern at this time. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, 2. Jeff Petry, D, 3. Oscar Klefbom, D, 4. Anton Lander, C, 5. Martin Marincin, D.

Strengths: The team has excellent forward prospects led by Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz, both expected to be first-line players. In goal, although St. Louis has little depth, the organization has a top prospect in Jake Allen. Despite the recent graduations of potential star blueliners, the Blues continue to have good depth at the position. Weaknesses: There is little depth at left wing or in goal within the organization. Additionally, there are no blue chip prospects on the blue line. There is concern many of the European prospects, such as Sergei Andronov or Jani Hakanpaa, have any interest in playing in North America. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, 2. Jaden Schwartz, C, 3. Jake Allen, G, 4. Ian Cole, D, 5. Philip McRae, C.